Settlement Underpinning Adelaide

Welcome to Settlement Underpinning

In those cases where a structure is subsiding in Adelaide and is found to need settlement underpinning, we install some grout blocks below footings so as to improve on the bearing capacity of soil underpinning your building. Often the subsiding building is seen to be sinking, which is caused by soils not being well compacted enough as needed prior to the construction process. After contacting us, we organize for a simple penertrometer testing to be done so as to establish the present level of the compaction and also appropriately determine whether the addition of some grout blocks shall be beneficial.
Immediately after we effect the installation, the grout blocks shall stop the sinking and also ensure that there is no further damage that will be caused to your structure. On completion of the process, the building will be monitored effectively to make sure that the settlement underpinning technique has fully worked before any cracking walls are repaired and eventually repainted.

Super Underpinning Adelaide

Settlement underpinning due to Environmental changes in Adelaide

Some man-made and also natural changes in the environment can end up impacting the performance of foundations. Those buildings that were initially constructed on any piled foundation system like concrete piles or screw piles are not likely to be impacted. Any slab on a ground footing system is likely to be affected by any of the following environmental changes and conditions:

Any changes in the soil moisture content

Any changes happening to the water-table levels

The removal of large trees that are nearby the building

Any adjacent excavations in close proximity whether old or new

Structure being in close proximity to any dewatering activities and even water-borehole use.

Settlement Underpinning Adelaide

Generally, problems that necessitate the need for settlement underpinning such as cracking walls, leaking basements, or cellars and even cracking in swimming pools, may not be visible until years much later as soil under footings begins to move slowly while consolidating horizontally towards any filled yet un-compacted excavations that were been done recently.

Settlement underpinning as a result of Building Alterations and Additions in Adelaide

At the time of coming up with an extension to an already existing building, it is important for the proposed design to fully consider the impact of the new work on the already existing foundations.
It is likely that the new structure might have its foundations located on a lower level, which poses the potential of exposing or compromising the structural force of the existing foundations.
In case you are in the process of adding an extra level to the existing foundations, then there is need for you to do an upgrade to accommodate the additional building load.

Penertrometer Testing Adelaide

Older buildings needing settlement underpinning in Adelaide

When it comes to older buildings, the biggest problem associated with them is environmental changes, which include changes to the ground moisture content. They actually become affected in situations where trees that are growing close to the building are removed or some excavations are done in close proximity, such buildings require settlement underpinning.

Grout Block Installation Adelaide

How to know that a house needs settlement underpinning in Adelaide

The first telltale sign of foundation movements is evidenced when doors or even windows begin to rub excessively and in some cases they jam whenever they are being opened and closed. Another telltale sign is the appearance of some fine crazed cracks on the walls that begin from the corners of a doors or windows.
In case you see such signs then you should known that your house needs settlement underpinning and you should act with speed to avert the consequences. When you choose to ignore the emerging cracks and you opt not to investigate the cause, then it will result in a situation where the cost of repairs will escalate and make the process to be very costly at a later date. When you carry out early monitoring and proper recording of the movement, it will lead to a successful outcome, because an expert will be able to know what exactly is happening and the cause of the problem before opting to carry out settlement underpinning.

Best Construction Process Adelaide

When movement of the building is confirmed then an assessment of its foundation system will be done by any of our experts, which will be followed by inspections on the building and also the ground for further investigations and before an elaborate report is generated to detail the problem and the approved remedial work options that are available for the purpose of rectifying the problem through settlement underpinning. We will come up with a way forward for the settlement underpinning exercise for your foundation. It is incumbent upon you to appropriate brief us about any known historical activities that relate to the building and also excavation works in the surrounding areas.

Settlement underpinning techniques in Adelaide

There are in place a number of settlement underpinning methods that are available including the following:

About us

At SA underpinning we address all your underpinning needs for commercial and residential properties. The moment you notice cracks appearing on any internal or external section of a building, then such cracks on your wall indicate the presence of some structural stresses that are destabilizing the foundation of your structure.This state can be brought about by erosion, soil movement or earthquakes to some extent. In such a situation, you need to thoroughly think of the best way to support your foundation through underpinning.